[That’s a point. However, I believe that one should strike while the iron is hot. Suppose in five weeks that gas prices have fallen to, say $2.85?]
Should we expect a Large Wooden Badger next time?
Posted on 08/02/2008 7:44:35 AM PDT by don-o
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. This weekend marks the beginning of August, the month when many Americans take their summer vacation. This year, however, the high price of gas is taking a toll on summer travelers. Congress is now taking a month-long recess of its own. Unfortunately, Democratic leaders are leaving town without taking any action to ease the burden of high gas prices on families across America.
The fundamental source of high gas prices is the fact that supply is not keeping pace with demand. To reduce pressure on prices, we need to increase the supply of oil, especially oil produced here at home. So in June, I called on Congress to lift the legislative ban that prevents offshore exploration of parts of the Outer Continental Shelf, or OCS. But the leaders of the Democratic Congress have refused to allow a vote.
Lifting the ban on this offshore exploration would benefit our economy in two important ways.
First, lifting the ban would allow our Nation to take advantage of a large and reliable source of domestic oil. Experts believe that these restricted areas could eventually produce about 18 billion barrels of oil. That's almost 10 years worth of America's current oil production.
Second, lifting the ban would create new opportunities for American workers and businesses. On Tuesday, I visited the Lincoln Electric Company in Cleveland, Ohio, a business that produces welding products used for offshore exploration. If Congress were to permit this exploration, it would mean new jobs at businesses like Lincoln Electric. American drivers are counting on Congress to lift the ban on offshore exploration, and so are American workers.
Bringing these resources online will take time, and that means that the need for congressional action is urgent. I've lifted the executive restrictions on offshore exploration. This means that the only thing now standing between the American people and these vast oil resources is the United States Congress. The sooner Congress lifts the ban, the sooner we can get this oil from beneath the ocean floor to your gas tank.
We also need to take other essential steps to strengthen domestic oil production. Congress needs to pass legislation that allows us to tap the extraordinary potential of oil shale, permits exploration in currently restricted areas of northern Alaska, and enables the expansion of America's domestic refining capacity.
It appears that the leaders of the Democratically-controlled Congress will let the entire summer pass without voting on any of these vital steps to help reduce pressure on gas prices. This failure to act is unacceptable to me and unacceptable to the American people. So when they return from their summer break, Democratic leaders should show that they've heard the frustration of the American people by allowing a vote on offshore exploration. If Congress does not act, they will owe families across America an explanation for why they're ignoring their concerns.
I know that high energy prices are making this a difficult time for many of our citizens, but it is important to remember that these high prices were not inevitable. They are partially the result of policy choices that have been made over the years by the United States Congress. Now Congress has an opportunity to begin reversing that damage. By opening up new resources at home we can help bring energy costs down. And that will help ensure that our economy remains the strongest, most vibrant, and most hopeful in the world.
Thank you for listening.
Wholesale gas is down to $3.33 the stations are desperately trying to keep it around $3.85-3.89
e-mail to the president this morning:
Dear president Bush,
I am appalled at the actions of the Democrats in Congress in refusing to address the energy crisis we face. Soon summer will be over and winter will come with unbearable costs for home heating oil. Higher cost for gas, food , oil are choking the economy.
Please, Mr. President demand a special session of Congress to address and develop an energy plan that calls for all sources and means to develop the energy we need.
Such arrogance as going on vacation when many of us are canceling ours is beyond the pale.
Call them back !!!!
Thank you.
Calling the congress back into session would come dangerously close to qualifying Bush as a conservative, a patriot, a smart politician who is concerned about the success of the Rep. party in November, and an individual who is actually concerned about the well-being of the American people. Such an action would require that he forfeit his membership card in the Blue-blood, loafer wearing, Country club set of the former Republican party. His father and John Sununu would have kittens.
The issue has been p!$$ed away. Now that Obama has put the “package deal” option front and center, the GOP can either agree to it (losing the initiative) or reject all of the alternative-energy development elements (which would be both bad long-term policy and bad short term politics — it would look like the Dems offered a reasonable compromise and the Pubs responded NO NO NO WAAAA WAAAA WAAAA I WANT IT ALL MY WAY WAAAAAAA!!).
I DID send the President a message - FOUR calls, just yesterday. But he continues to shirk his duty to exercise his Constitutional authority to call the House back into session, to consider and decide this vital issue - and to call them back every single day, until they vote!
[That’s a point. However, I believe that one should strike while the iron is hot. Suppose in five weeks that gas prices have fallen to, say $2.85?]
Should we expect a Large Wooden Badger next time?
Show some gumption Mr. President!
Is it possible that when the Democrats show up for a weekly session meant to prevent President Bush from making a special executive appointment that Republicans also would show up and force action on drill, drill drill?
If Bush had even a clue as to what he was doing the past 7.5 years we wouldn't be in this mess. Under him we lost two majority houses. He failed to act on issues such as this {even ignboring it for the majotity of his term} and worse he split the GOP right down the middle with his Poppy's 1000 points of liberalism and globalism here at home and to our south.
He intentionally left Conservatives hanging high and dry. Yea he knew exactly what he was doing when he did it. He's a corporate puppet. Pay no attention to his visit to China to an event the United States should have pulled out of. But when has a Bush ever taken a hard line on China except to defend it?
big bttt to your post!
“It’s only August. Timing is everything... streeeeeeetch it out.”
Good point. Call it a week before the DNC convention. Force Obama to either go on the record or decline.
Why is he such a wimp? Call them back into Special Session and at least pretend to be a decisive action-oriented President.
So are they too damned lazy to rewrite a speech to meet events as they happen?
Yes.
This is indeed disappointing news......
HOWEVER....before everyone goes on a Bush Bash, there may be other important things to consider as to the reason he may be doing this. A couple have already been mentioned, i e, letting the clock drag out on the democrats.
My suspicion is that there are going to be some RECCESS APPOINTMENTS made that will have us all jumping for joy....LOL
At least that is what I hope is the reason for this.
Like the kid digging through the pile of manure on Christmaa morning? "There's gotta be a pony in here somewhere."
That's the hope, I guess.
I agree, politically he has to keep the price of oil high till they return in september. Gas is already on its way to 3.50 and once it hits 2.99 it may not hurt the donks anymore. Bush is playing his cards cool and collected here.
Boy, you do paint a picture with words....LOL
Yep....that’s all we have on this one for the time being I’m afraid.
I’m not sure that the Constitution is in any danger from high gas prices. Let the democrats sit around all summer getting free trips here and there while Americans get irritated by high fuel prices. If the problem gets fixed too soon they’ll be forgiven that much sooner. President Bush is using political methods to get drilling going.
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